Caitlin Nottingham drives nearly two hours from Payson, Arizona to receive prenatal care at Valleywise Health. She’s been doing the long commute since she was 19 years old and pregnant with her first child.
“I actually came here to take my pregnancy test because I heard it was free,” said Caitlin. “I came here for that because I didn’t have insurance yet, and we ended up staying for the great care.”
Caitlin and her husband CJ jumped into parenthood with both feet, signing up for the New Hope Teen Childbirth Program, a specialty program offered by Valleywise Health and District Medical Group. The classes provide pregnant teens with important information on prenatal care, labor and birth, and future life skills.
“We saw how much these classes helped the people in our group, which was important,” said Caitlin. “We came to class once a week, and it was nice to get to know the other people going through the same season of parenthood.”
Caitlin and CJ loved the care they received at Valleywise Health, becoming close with Certified Nurse and Midwife Tammalynn Bambulas, MSN, CNM.
“She makes you feel like you’re one of her only patients, she doesn’t make you feel like she’s rushing you to get to someone else” said Caitlin. “She advocated for me when I needed to get induced early.”
Caitlin and CJ’s baby, Zander, is now 15 months old and receiving pediatric care at Valleywise Health. The couple is now pregnant with their second child.
The New Hope Teen Childbirth Program is offered every Tuesday at Valleywise Comprehensive Health Center and Thursday at the Valleywise Community Health Center – Maryvale. To make an appointment or get more information, call 1 (833) VLLYWSE (1-833-855-9973).